Ball joint for front wheel suspensions



Dec. 14, 1937.

G. H. HUFFERD BALL JOINT FOR FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSIONS Filed Oct.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 620 905 f/ Hap/"20 Dec. 14, 1937. HUFFERD 2,102,463

BALL JOINT FOR FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSIONS Filed Oct. 19, 1936 2Sheets-Sheet 2 3.52 IIIIIIIIIIII 3.5

. $50,205 [ya/F580.

Patented Dec. 14, 1937 BALL JOINT FOR FRONT WVHEEL SUSPEN- SIONS GeorgeH. Hufierd, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Thompson Products Incorporated,Cleveland, Glaio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 19, 1936,Serial No. 106,341

8 Claims. (01. 287-90) This invention relates to joints having acooperating pair of cylindrical bearing surfaces permitting relativetilting movement in one plane and a cooperating pair of segmentalspherical bearing surfaces permitting relative tilting movements Afurther object of this invention is to provide in other planes as Wellas rotation of the joint ball joint structures for independent frontwheel stud about its own axis. More specifically this suspensions ofautomotive vehicles. invention relates to ball joints for operatively Aspecific object of this invention'is to provide connecting the wheelsupporting mechanism with ball joint structures having a cooperatingpair of the suspension mechanism of automobile indecylindrical bearingsurfaces to carry heavy loads pendently suspended front wheel structureswhile permitting relative tilting movements in which joints are providedwith separate pairs of one plane and also having cooperating pairs ofcooperating bearing surfaces. segmental spherical bearing surfacespermitting While the joints of this invention will be rotation of thejoint stud about its own axis and specifically hereinafter described inconnection relative tilting movements of the joint element with frontwheel suspensions for automotive ven ot p s Without interfering With t ea hicles it should be understood that the joints are tilting movprovided y the C ope adapted for wide usage in other mechanicalconcylindrical surfaces. H nections. Other and further objects of thisinvention It is known that the joints connecting the Wheel will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art supporting mechanism with the wheelsuspendfrom the following detailed description of the ing mechanism ofindependently sprung wheel annexed ts of drawings which disclose Dmountings must carry heavy loads and are subject felred e c e s 0 e vetion. to almost constant tilting movements in operation. on e drawings:These tilting movements are mainly in one plane F gure 1 is a p v ew. wa pa t shown in 2 and it is highly desirable to provide bearingsurhorizontal cross section of a joint according to faces in the jointswhich readily permit this tiltthis invention, 7 I ing movement withoutinterfering with tilting Figure 2 is avertical cross-sectional view,with movements or rotating movements of the joints Darts ShOWn ineleVatiOn, takn s s ntia ly in other planes. along the line II-II ofFigure 1. V According to this invention a ball ended stud i 3 is avertical c s -sec o a view, with is seated in a pair of seating e b r hi g parts shown in elevation, taken substa'htiallj segmental sphericalinner bearing surfaces and along line III-III 0f i e cylindrical outerbearing surfaces. The seating Figure 4 is a Vertical cl'dss-sectidnal erWif h members in turn are mounted in a cylindrical pa shown in l v t n.ta n substantially housing. When the stud is tilted relative to thealong the line IVIV of ure housing in the plane in which most tiltingoccurs Figure 5 is a P w, With a Pa S own in the stud carries theseating members therewith horizontal cross Section. Of the s at membersas a unit and the tilting movements in this plane and Stud element thejoint in Operative as 1 are borne by the outer cylindrical surfaces ofthe semblyg I seating members and th inner cylindrical sur- Figure 6 isa vertical cross-sectional view of the face of the housing member.However limited Seating mbe s on y, taken along the line tiltingmovements of the stud relative to the V I of Figure 5. V housing androtation of the stud about its own Figure 5 an elevational View of theinnerfa ce H axis are freely permitted by the segmental spher- Of aSeating member taken along he line V'II VII ical bearing surfaces of theball end on the stud of Figure and the inner segmental spherical bearingsur- Figure 8 is a plan view of a rectangular washer faces of theseating members. member disposed around the stud shank. A 7

It is then an object of this invention to provide Figure 9 is a verticalcross-sectional view taken ball joints with separate pairs ofcylindrical bearsubstantially along the line IX-IX of Figure 8. ingsurfaces for tilting movements in one plane Figure 10 is a verticalcross-'secti'onalviewtaken and segmental spherical bearing surfaces fortiltthrough a spring washer used in the joint strucing movements inother planes and for rotation ture. v s 7 of the joint stud about itsown axis. Asshownon the drawings V A further object of this invention isto provide As shown in Figures '1 to 4, the reference 1111'- heavydutyball joint structures capable of supporting heavy loads withoutinterfering with free relative tilting and rotating movements of thejoint parts.

meral I designates generally a joint housing having a laterallyextending arm portion I I provided with bolt holes I2 and I3 forattachment to the wheel supporting mechanism of individually suspendedautomotive front wheels. The housing I0 has a cylindrical bore I4extending therethrough horizontally thereof to provide an open endedcylindrical socket.

An elongated opening I5 having major and minor axes is formed throughthe top of the housing with the major axis in alignment with the armportion II.

The housing I0 is preferably formed with a thickened base portion I6 towithstand the heavy compression loads supported by the joint structure.A boss portion I1 is formed on-the central portion of the base of thehousing ID in front of the arm II thereof and is drilled out to providea bore I8 therethrough in communi cation with the main bore I4 extendingthrough the housing. The lower end of the bore I8 is threaded to receivea screw plug I9 therein for closing the bore. The passageway provided bythe bore I8 serves as a means for introducing grease to the joint.

A stud 20 having a threaded top portion 2|, an intermediate taperedportion 22, a cylindrical portion 23 below the tapered portion, anannular shoulder 24 extending from the bottom of the cylindrical portion23 and a ball end 25 is seated in the housing ID with the ball enddisposed in the housing and the cylindrical portion 23 extending freelythrough the opening I5 in the top of the housing.

A pair of spaced complementary seating members 26 and 21 having outercylindrical surfaces 28, segmental spherical inner surfaces 29, flatboss portions 30 on the sides thereof and rectangular cutaway portions3| at the tops thereof are disposed between the ball end 25 of the stud20 and the cylindrical socket walls I4 of the housing Ill. Thecylindrical portion 23 of the stud 20 projects freely through theopening provided by the cutaway portions 3| of the seating elements.

A rectangular washer or block 32 having a central bore 33 therethrough,fiat side walls 34, and flat end walls 35 with rounded top portions 35aof a curvature corresponding with the curvature of the bore I4 of thesocket is seated around the cylindrical portion 23 of the stud on theshoulder 24 therebelow and held in position by a spring wire 36 snappedinto a groove 31 formed around the periphery of the cylindrical portion23 of the stud. The block fits into the cutaway portions 3| of theseating members 26 and 21 and as shown in Figure 3 the side walls 34 ofthe block are spaced from the side walls defining the cutaway portions3| of the seating elements to permit limited tilting movement of thestud in planes parallel with the minor axes of the housing opening I5.

As shown in Figure 2 the flat end walls 35 of the block 32 snugly abutthe side walls of the cutaway portions 3I of the seating members so thatwhen the stud is tilted in planes parallel to the major axis of thehousing opening I5 the tilting movement is transmitted to the seatingelements and is borne on the outer cylindrical surfaces 28 of theseating elements and the inner cylindrical wall I4 of the housing. Therounded portions 35a of the block form an extension of the cylindricalouter bearing surfaces of the seating elements and permit the block tobe moved on the cylindrical wall I4 of the housing.

Rotation of the stud about its own axis is readily permitted since thecylindrical portion 23 of the stud can freely revolve in the cylindricalbore 33 of the block 32 and the ball end 25 of the stud is freelyrotatable on the segmental spherical inner surfaces 29 of the seatingelements.

Metal discs 40 are inserted through the open ends of the housing II) inthe bore I4 in abutting relation to the fiat faces of the bosses 30formed on the central portions of the side walls of the seating members.As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the bosses 30 of the seating members 26 and21 preferably have lubricant passageways 30a formed therethrough. Tabs4| are formed on the discs 40 to fit in slots 42 cut in both ends of thewall I4 of the housing In at the top thereof to prevent rotation of thediscs.

Spring washers 43 of the type shown in Figure 10 are next positionedalongside of the discs 40 to resiliently urge the discs against thebosses 30 of the seating elements thereby tending to move the seatingelements towards each other to take up wear on the ball end 25 of thestud and on the segmental spherical inner surfaces 29 of the seatingelements. Split washers 44 abut the spring washers 43 to flatten thesame. The split washers 44 are seated in annular grooves 45 out in thecylindrical wall I4 of the housing near the ends thereof. Strips 46 of aflexible material such as leather are inserted in the slots 42 above thesplit washers 44 to permit removal of the washers from the grooves 45.Thus a tool can be inserted in the slots 42 and worked between theflexible strips 46 and the outer periphery of a washer 44 to compressthe washer out of the groove 45 and permit its removal from the housing.

Spring plates or covers 41 are snapped into the ends of the housing overthe washers 44 to seal the housing. These spring covers can be readilypried out of the housing by insertion of.

a tool into the slots 42.

It should therefore be understood that the abutment plates 4!] for theflat sides of the seating members 26 and 21 have tabs snugly seated inslots cut in the inside housing wall to prevent rotation of the plates.At the same time, however, the plates are urged against the seatingmembers by spring washers which are compressed or flattened by splitwashers seated in grooves formed in the housing. The spring washers andsplit washers need not be provided with tabs since rotation of thesemembers is immaterial. However to facilitate disassembly of the jointthe flexible strips 46 are inserted in the 7 slots 42 receiving the tabs4| of the abutment plates and are disposed over the split washers topermit insertion of a tool for compressing the washers out of theirgrooves.

A dust cap or sealing cap comprising an arouate shaped piece of leatheror fabric material 50 is disposed snugly around the cylindrical portion23 of the stud and extends over the cylindrical outside top portion ofthe housing I0. A metal plate 5| of corresponding shape covers thematerial 50.

A rubber washer 52 is preferably disposed around the cylindrical portionof the stud 23 and compressed against the top of the plate 5| to holdthe same on the housing. A metal plate 53 may be disposed over therubber washer 52. A connecting eye member (not shown) is disposed aroundthe tapered portion 22 of the stud and may be forced downwardly againstthe plate 53 by a nut (not shown) threaded on the portion 2| of thestud.

From. the above descriptions it should be understood that the jointstructure of this invention permits free rotation of the stud memberabout its own axis and limited tilting of the stud in planes other thanthe main operating plane on segmental spherical bearing surfacesprovided by a ball end of the stud and by inner faces of seatingmembers. Tilting movements of the stud in the main operating plane arepermitted throughout a wide range and are borne by outer cylindricalsurfaces of the seating members and the inner cylindrical wall of thehousing. A block is seated around the shank of the stud above the ballend thereof to impart tilting movement in the main operating plane tothe cylindrical surfaces of the seating members and housing. Since thesecylindrical surfaces are large in size as compared with the segmentalspherical surfaces the tilting movements in the main operating plane aredistributed over a large area and free tilting movement is permittedeven under heavy load.

Automatic wear compensating means are pro vided in the joint to urge theseating members into closer relationship with each other to take up wearon their bearing surfaces.

The provision of separate cooperating pairs of bearing surfaces fortilting movements in the main operating plane and for tilting movementsin other planes and rotation of the stud about its own axis provides ajoint structure having a long life even under severe load conditions.When the joints of this invention are used in front wheel suspensionsfor automotive vehicles the up and down movements of the wheel whichoccur constantly during driving of the vehicle must be permitted byjoints which can carry heavy loads and at the same time permit movementsin other directions without interfering with the tilting movementscaused by the up and down motion of the wheel.

The joints of this invention can be readily supplied with largequantities of lubricant through a single grease channel provided in thehousing of the joint. If desired the ball end of the stud can beprovided With lubricant grooves to aid in the distribution of the greasefrom the point at which it is inserted.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details ofconstruction may be varied through a wide range without departing fromthe principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purposelimiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by theprior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A joint comprising a housing having a cylindrical bore therein, apair of complementary seating elements rotatable in said bore and havinginner bearing surfaces therein, an integral headed stud member havingthe integral head thereof seated on the inner bearing surfaces of theseating elements in tiltable and rotatable relation therewith and meansassociated with said stud to transmit tilting movements thereof inplanes at right angles to the axis of the bore to the seating elements.

2. A joint comprising a housing having a cylindrical inner wall, a pairof complementary seat elements having outer cylindrical surfaces inbearing engagement with the cylindrical wall of the housing and havinginner segmental spherical bearing surfaces, a stud member extending intosaid housing having a ball and seated in said seat elements in bearingengagement with the segmental spherical inner surfaces thereof and ashank portion spaced from the seat elements whereby limited tiltingmovements of the stud in some planes are borne on the ball end and innersurfaces of the seat elements and means associated with said stud shankto transmit tilting movements of the stud in planes normal to the axisof the housing bearing wall to the seating elements to be borne on theouter cylindrical surfaces of the seating elements and the cylindricalwall of the housing.

3. A joint comprising a housing having a cylindrical bearing walltherein and an opening in the side wall thereof giving entrance thereto,a pair of space opposed complementary seating elements having outercylindrical surfaces in engagement with the cylindrical bearing wall ofthe housing, said seating elements also having segmental spherical innersurfaces and cut-away portions on the side walls thereof giving entranceto their inner surfaces, a ball stud having a shank portion extendingthrough the opening provided by the cutaway portions and through thehousing opening, said ball stud having a ball end seated on the innersurfaces of the seating elements, a block disposed around the stud shankin rotatable relation thereto having end walls normal to the axis of thehousing bearing wall spaced from the seating elements in the cutawayportions thereof and side walls paralel to the axis of the housingbearing wall abutting the seating elements whereby limited tiltingmovements of the stud relative to the housing and rotation of the studabout its own axis are provided by the cooperating bearing surfaces ofthe ball end and inner surfaces of the seating elements and tiltingmovements through a wide angle are provided by the bearing wall of thehousing and the outer cylindrical surfaces of the seating elements andmeans for urging the seating elements into closer engagement with theball end of the stud for taking up wear developed during use of thejoint.

4. A joint structure comprising a stud having a shank portion and a ballend, a pair of complementary seating members disposed around the ballend of the stud having cut away portions defining a space between thestud shank and seating members, said seating members also havingsegmental spherical inner bearing surfaces in engagement with the ballend of the stud and outer cylindrical bearing surfaces at right anglesto the axis of the stud, a housing having an inner cylindrical walldisposed around the cylindrical outer surfaces of the seating members,means carried by the housing to urge the seating members into closerengagement with the ball end of the stud and a block disposed around thestud shank in the space defined by the cut away portions of the seatingmembers for transmitting some of the tilting movements of the stud tothe seating members to be borne on the cylindrical wall of the housing.

5. A joint structure comprising a housing having a laterally extendingintegral arm portion and a cylindrical bore therethrough at right anglesto the arm portion thereof providing a cylindrical bearing wall therein,a pair of spaced complementary seating elements having outer cylindricalsurfaces in bearing engagement with the cylindrical wall of the housingand inner segmental spherical bearing surfaces in space opposedrelation, said seating elements having cutaway portions in the sidewalls thereof pro-- viding an opening giving entrance to the segmentalspherical surfaces therein, a stud having a shank portion extendingfreely through the opening and a head portion seated on the se mentalspherical surfaces thereof in bearing engagement therewith, said housinghaving an opening through which the shank portion of the stud freelyextends, a block disposed around the shank of the stud in the openingprovided by the cutaway portions of the seating elements, said blockhaving side walls normal to the bore of the housing in spaced relationfrom the seating elements and having end Walls parallel to the boreabutting the seating elements, means carried by the shank of said studto hold said lock in the opening in rotatable relation tothe studwhereby rotation of the stud about its own axis and limited tiltingmovement of the stud relative to the housing is permitted by the ballend of the stud and the inner segmental spherical bearing surfaces ofthe seating elements and tilting movement of the stud relative to thehousing through a wide angle is permitted by the cylindrical outersurfaces of the seating elements and the cylindrical wall of thehousing, abutment plates disposed in said housing engaging the ends ofthe seating members and spring means urging said abutment plates againstthe seating elements to move the same into closer relation with eachother for taking up wear developed during use of the joint.

6. A joint structure comprising a housing having a horizontalcylindrical bore therethrough and having an elongated opening in a sidewall thereof giving entrance to the bore, a stud extending freelythrough said opening and having a ball end disposed in said bore, a pairof seating elements disposed around the ball end of the stud havinginner segmental spherical bearing surfaces for cooperating with saidball end and outer cylindrical bearing surfaces for cooperating with thecylindrical bore of the housing, means in said housing urging saidseating elements toward each other to take up wear developed during useof the joint, said stud being tiltable in said seating elements inplanes parallel to the axis of the bore and means associated with saidstud to transmit tilting movements thereof in planes at right angles tothe axis of the bore to the seating elements whereby said tiltingmovements are borne by comparatively large cylindrical bearing surfacesand limited tilting movements and relative rotation of the stud aboutits own axis are borne by the ball end of the stud and the segmentalspherical inner surfaces of the seating elements.

'7. A joint comprising a housing, a stud extending freely therefrom,spaced seating elements interposed between the stud and the housing,said housing and seating elements having cooperating cylindrical bearingsurfaces permitting tilting movements of the stud in one plane, saidseating elements and stud having cooperating segmental spherical bearingsurfaces permitting free rotation of the stud about its own axis andtilting movements of the stud in all planes, means for transmittingtilting movements of the'stud in planes normal to the axis of thecylindrical bearing surfaces to the seating elements and means forurging the seating elements together to take up wear developed duringuse of the joint.

8. A joint adapted to carry heavy loads comprising a housing having alaterally extending arm portion and a cylindrical bore therethrough atright angles to the arm portion, cylindrical seating elements rotatablein said bore and having extended cylindrical outer surfaces in fullbearing contact with the housing, a stud having a shank portionextending freely from said housing and an integral head portion freelytiltable and rotatable in said seating elements, means disposed aroundthe shank of the stud to transmit tilting movements thereof at rightangles to the axis of the bore to the seating elements, plates securedagainst rotation in the ends of the bore and means for urging saidplates against the seating elements to move the seating elements intocloser relationship.

GEORGE H. HUFFERD.

